“What the hell is wrong with you two? You hardly ate.” Rhett pushed his empty plate away from him and waved at the waitress when she looked their way. “Don’t tell me you’re not feeling well.”
Gracie shrugged, leery of what he might suggest. “I’m tired. I think it might be jet lag.”
“Definitely jet lag,” Hunter added.
“I was hoping I could take you two out to a few clubs I like to hang out at,” Rhett suggested just before the waitress stopped at their table and began to clear it.
The immediate tension radiating from Hunter was palpable. Any mention of a party or a good time on Rhett’s behalf and Hunter was ready to think the worst. “No offense, but that sounds like the last thing I want to do tonight. I’m beat. How about you, Gracie?”
She was surprised by his kind words. At least he hadn’t blown up at his brother. The two seemed to fight over every little thing. It was kind of ridiculous. “Sorry, Rhett, but I’m awfully tired too.” She felt bad, but she couldn’t imagine going out to a club, hanging out in a crush of people with loud music pounding in her veins.
Rhett shrugged, a little smile curling his lips. He had a nice mouth, very similar to Hunter’s. Their features were remarkably similar. “It’s all good. Maybe tomorrow. You are staying tomorrow night as well, right?”
“Yeah.” Hunter slid a quick look her way. “We are. But we’ll be working most of the day.”
“Same here, of course.” Rhett flashed the big grin. “Right in the trenches with the both of you.”
He was awfully hard to take seriously. No wonder he had the spoiled party boy reputation. He lived up to it completely.
She had a feeling though, that Rhett was just misunderstood.
Hunter paid for the meal—a business expense, he called it—and they left the restaurant. They parted ways, Rhett driving home in his latest model Porsche that probably cost a small fortune and Hunter escorting Gracie into the backseat of the hired car that would take them back to their hotel. She collapsed in the soft leather seat, leaned her head against the headrest and closed her eyes.
She wanted—needed—sleep. Needed to clear her head and forget about how wonderful it had been, hanging out with Hunter and his brother. Like they’d both really wanted her there, not because she worked for Worth, but because they actually liked her. Wanted to spend time with her and include her as a part of their life.
Their family.
Gracie blinked her eyes open. She was being ridiculous. They didn’t give a crap about her beyond her working for Worth, and they definitely didn’t think of her as family. She was merely deluding herself.
“Did you enjoy your dinner? You didn’t eat much.” Hunter’s soft, deep voice washed over her and she kept her gaze locked on the window, watching the city lights pass by.
“I guess I wasn’t that hungry. But yes, I had a good time. Your brother is fun.”
“You really think so?” He sounded shocked.
“I do.” She turned to look at him briefly and she realized her mistake the moment her gaze met his.
He looked too good sitting there in his black T-shirt and jeans. A dressed-up Hunter was a sight to behold. A dressed-down Hunter? Even more so.
“You’re too hard on him,” she murmured when he hadn’t said anything in reply. “I think he just wants your approval.”
“When he puts in a few years of time at Worth actually working, then he’ll get my approval.”
She shook her head and looked away from him, keeping her head averted. He wasn’t listening, so he wouldn’t get it. Rhett just wanted to belong. Wanted both of his brothers’ genuine approval and was struggling to get it.
Gracie could relate. She’d always wanted to belong. To have that easy acceptance others had and took for granted.
“Rhett’s charming. It’s what he does. He laughs and jokes and drinks himself into oblivion. He likes to spend money and look good and always have the best-looking woman on his arm. Everything is about flash and appearance for him and nothing else,” Hunter said bitterly.
She turned on him once more, anger coursing through her blood and making her brave. “He didn’t seem that way to me. Yeah, he might be a bit immature for his age, but since he’s the baby of the family, I’m guessing there was a lot of babying on everyone’s part when it came to Rhett. Am I right?”
Hunter gave her a short nod in answer, his lips grim, his eyes dark.
“Well, then I’m going to assume no one has ever really cut the apron strings and forced him out on his own. He needs to learn a little independence, do some growing up. I think he’s doing that right now, out here in California where he doesn’t really have you both to rely on. It’s good for him.” She paused, letting her words sink in. “He doesn’t want to fight with you, Hunter.”
“I know.” Hunter sighed, the sound harsh in the quiet confines of the car. “I think it’s more that I want to fight with him.”
“But why?” She was incredulous. Why would he want to continue the animosity between them?